Reversible cage trim valve



United States Patent inventors George I. Chinn;

Henry F. Meissner, Middletown, New York 844,330

July 24, 1969 Nov. 24, 1970 Keiley 8: Mueller lne.

Middletown, New York a corporation of New York Appl. No. Filed PatentedAssignee REVERSIBLE CAGE TRIM VALVE 9 Clairns,,4 Drawing Figs.

v1.1.8. Cl 137/271 Int. Cl Fl6k 15/00 Field of Search 137/271,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,661,190 3/1928 Mead 4.137/271 1,971,304 8/1934 Mue1ler..... l37/270X 2,409,091 8/1946 Wright137/270X 3,106,936 10/1963 Trautman., 137/269 3,123,091 3/1964 Elsey137/270 Primary Examiner- Laverne D. Geiger Assistant Examiner-- RobertJ. Miller Attorney- Kenyon & Kenyon Reilly Carr & Chapin ABSTRACT: Thevalve is constructed with an inner valve which is formed to threadablyengage a valve stem from either end. The inner valve and related valveseat a'nd'ca'ge can' then be used for either direct action or reverseaction. Also, the inner valve is provided with passages and the cage isprovided with apertures, either'of which can be plugged so as to permitthe use of the valve in a balanced pressure condition or an unbalancedpressure condition.

VII

llll

Patented Nov. 24, 1970 3,542,056

Sheet. 3 of 3 Ti and. 6

INVENTORS 660 66 z. CH Y By Heme) 2. MESSVQQ REYERSlBLECAGETRlM vALvEThis invention reIatesYto-areversible cage trim-valve; Moreparticularly, this invention'relates to a cagetrim valve having a beenconstructed to function" as reverse acting valves, that is,

valves in'which-the innetvalve moves away frorn the valve seat. withdownward motion of the valve stern ln both instances,

, the seatring' isusually' a memberthreadably engaged by the valve body.

Because of damage sustained by the seat ring and inner valve fromerosion and corrosion, or from other'causes, it is necessary atintervals t'o'replace these parts. Particularly susceptible to damageare the. threads of the seat ring, making replacement of the ring a timeconsumin'g and expensive operation. Inorder,to'eliminatethislconditiomvalves have been madeof the cagegorquick-change trimtype. in these instances, theseat ring is retained inthe hody by'a cage which in 7 turn is retained by the .valve bonnetyandthe inner valve is guided in thiscage i the seat ring. 1

Most cage trim Nalvesare designed to require insertion of the trimmembers through the top'of the valve body. However, this restricts thedesign to the nse of directacting inner valves. Furthermore, in order toremove the trim, theactuator must upon being movedaxially with respectto reverse actingvalve, the valve housing is sized to have twov in orderto permit the valve to act as a direct acting or a chambers disposed onopposite sidesof the-valve seat of substantially identical proportionsinorder to receive the cage in a sealed relation whileconimunicati'ngwith the inlet and outlet ports of the valve. The chambers are also incommunication with respective openings in thehousing which provideaccess to the chambers for insertion and removal of the cage and valveseat ring. These openings are closed in-a' seal tight relation by aplate to one side of the valve seat and the bonnet to .-the other sidewhich houses the valve stem; Both the plate and the bonnet are removablesecured to the valve housing so as to permit rapid disassembly; v I lnuse,.sh ould it be desired to use the valve as a direct acting valve,the plate is secured in place and the valve seat ring, cage, innervalveand valve stem are moved into the valve housing from. the oppositeside andthe bonnet secured to that opposite-side. in order to-functionas a reverse acting valve, theposi'tion of the bonnet and plate areinterchanged, because of the symmetry of the .valvehousing and the valvestem is threaded into the oppositeendof the inner valve.

The valve of the invention can also he used for a balanced pressurecondition or unbalanced pressure condition. To this end, the inner valveis provided with a pair of elongated passages which pass from one sideto the other while the cage isprovided with a plurality of apertureswhich connect the interior of the cage with the exterior of the cage; Inaddition, the

be lifted from the valve. This not only necessitates disconnect ingelectricaland pneumatic control connections but, where the actuators arelarge, mechanical lifting equipment. The use of reverse acting inner,valves'which must be inserted through an opening in the. bottotn of thevalve, eliminates the necessity .for removing, the actuator. On theother hand, insufficient room betweenthe bottom of the valve andtheground or floor can'pre'ven'tzremovaLof the reverse acting inner valvesCon reverse acting'quick-change innervalve's v sequen tly,.lthere is'aire quirement'ffor both direct actingand Accordingly; it is an objectof the invention toprovide a valve with a plurality of interchangeablepartsso asto function .as a direct acting or a-rev'erse acting valve,

. lt isanother objectfofi the invention to provide a cage trim valvewith a reverse actinginner valve: 1 i

It is another object of the invention to prov dejfor a pressure balancedor.unbalanced operationofavalve with the use. of a minimum number ofparts. 1

1 It is another objectof theinvention to provideavalve which can bereadily.disassembledin thefield.

it .is another object 'ofqthe nvention: tolpro vide a valvein which avalve seatcanzbe easilyand quickly removed.

lt.is another object ofithe invention to provide asystem of 1 gasketsealswhich can accommodate dimensional variations in the valvemembersand movement of thesemenibers by thermal expansion and'fluidforces;

, Briefly,the invention providesacagetrtrn valve'whichis capableof'directlaction or reverse action with the use of a minimumnumber-ioflparts. The valve is constructed with a valve housing {whichis Lsubstantially-symmetrically formed with inlet and outlet ports'andwitha valve seat between the ports. in addition, the valve includes avalve seatring which is mounted on the valve seatand an innervalveiwhichis sized to sealingly' seat. on the valve seat ringandto'beguided within a cage within the housing The inner valve is secure dto avalvestem which, inturn, isconnected toasuitable actuator assemblyof ltnolwnstructure-mounted on abonnet securedto theivalve housing. Suitable seals arealso'provided between the valve seat ring and yal veseatand between the cage and the valve seat ringv and valveghousing soas to seal against the flow of liquid orgas around Tthevalve'body whenthe valve body is seated on the valve scatring. i

passages inthe inner valve and the apertures in the cageare sized toselectively block' the passages in the inner valve or the apertures inthe cage. ln use, for example, when the valve acts as a balanced valve,the passages in the valve body are open to the flow of fluidor gas whilethe apertures in the cage are sealed off by the plugs. This allows equalpressure to be imposed on opposite sides of the inner valve in order toavoid any undue force on thevalve stem. In order to use the valve in anunbalanced pressure condition, the passages in the valve body areplugged whilev the apertures in the cage are open to the flow offluid orgas. This allows an unbalance of pressure between the'opposite sides ofthe inner valve.

These and other objects and advaritages of the invention will 'becomemore apparent from the following detailed description and appendedclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanyingd'rawings in which:

direct action; and

tFlGf t illustrates a cross-sectional view similar to H6. 3 in whichthevalve is construeted'forreverse action. i

1 Referring toiFl G. 1-, the valve 10 is constructed with a pair ofports 1-1, 12 on opposite sides. in addition, the upper end of the valve10'mounts a bonnet 13, which communicates with an actuator assembly 14,asis known, while the opposite bottom valvescat 18 is further disposedbetween a pair of openings end of the valve 10 isclosed by a plate 15.Both thebonnet t3 and plate 15 are'secured, as by bolts 16, to the valve10.. As shown, the ports ll 12 are flanged so as to provide suitableseats for the respective members or pipe sections (not shown) to whichthe valve connects. I i

Referring to FIG. 3, the. valve 10 is constructed with a housing 17 inwhich the ports 11, 12 are disposed in substantially symmetricalrelationshipfln addition, a valve seat 18 is disposed between the ports11, 12s'o as to communicate the ports 11, 12 with each other for thepassages of a liquid or gas therethrough. As shown, .the valve seat 18is substantially cylindrical and includesan annular shoulder or recess19. The

i20, 21 in the valve housing 17 over which the plate 15 and bonnet 13are secured in seal tight relationi The valve 10 further includes a seatring 22 which hasia radially outwardly extending flange 23 seated in theshoulder U of the valve seat l8 and a cylindrical annular section 24substantially coaxially of the valve 18. In. addition, the ends of thecylindrical section 24 are formed as sealing surfaces 9, for example, bymachin- In order to maintain the seat ring 22 in place in the valve seat18, a cylindrically shaped annular cage 25 is disposed between theseatring 22 and the bonnet 13. This cage 25 is provided with'a cylindricalopening 26 at one end for guiding on the exterior of the cylindricalsection 24 of the valve seat ring 22 with a cylindrical surface 27 atthe opposite end for guiding within the opening 20 of the body 17. Inaddition, the cage cooperates with a resilient spring seal 29, such as aspiral wound steel strip of triangular shape, located between the valveseat ring 22 and the cage 25 which functions when compressed to urge thevalve seat ring 22 against the valve seat 18; the compression of theseal 29 being effected by the securing in place of the bonnet 13 againstthe cage 25. Additionally, suitable seals 30, 31 are provided betweenthe valve seat 18 and the seat ring 22 and between the cage 25 and thebonnet 13 to provide a fluid tight boundary between the respective ports11, 12 ofthe valve10.

In order to regulate the flow, the cage 25 is provided with a pluralityof ports 32, for example, four, which are of triangular shape; the apexof the triangle being directed towards the seat ring 22.. In this way,as the valve is opened the flow of fluid increases at an increasing rateand as the valve closes at a decreasing rate.

The valve also includes an inner valve 33 which is slidably disposedwithinthe cage 25 to move axially in the cage 25. The inner valve 33 isprovided with a suitable circumferential recess 34 in which a seal 35such as an O-ring or piston ring, is positioned (FIG. 4) so as to sealthe inner valve 33 with respect to the interior of the cage 25 and thusprevent a flow of liquid between the inner valve 33 and the cage 25. Inaddition, the inner valve 33 is provided with a relatively short stubextension 36 which is provided with an internally threaded bore 37 andwith a relatively long elongated extension 38 which is likewise providedwith an internally threaded bore 39. These extensions 36, 38 aredisposed on opposite sides of the inner valve 33 axially of each otherand the axis of the cage 25. The inner valve 33 also has an annulartapered sealing surface 39 which is sized to mate with a tapered sealingsurface 9 of the seat ring 22. To this end, the cage 25 is provided witha larger internal diameter than the diameter of the sealing surface 9 ofthe seat ring 22 so that the sealing surfaces 39 ofthe inner valve 33can come into mating contact with the seat ring sealing surface 9.Finally, the inner valve 33 is provided with a plurality of elongatedpassages 40, for example, two, which connect opposite sides of the innervalve 33.

The actuator assembly 14 which is constructed in a known manner has avalve stein 41 which extends through the bonnet 13 and which is providedwith a threaded extension 42 sized to thread into either bore 37, 39 ofthe inner valve extensions 36, 38. The valve stem 41 is actuated by theactuator assembly 14 so as to be reciprocated within the bonnet 13 inorder to cause the inner valve 33 to slide within the cage 25 relativeto the seat ring 22. In order to fix the valve stem 41 to the extension36, the threaded extension 42 of the valve stem 41 and the extensions36, 38 of the inner valve are provided with openings for the passage ofapin 43 therebetween to lock the valve stem 41 to the inner valve 33.

The extension 38 of the inner valve is sized so that the sealing surface39 of the inner valve 33 contacts the sealing surface 9 of the seat ring22 on the closing stroke before the extension 38 can come in contactwith plate 15, for direct action, or bonnet 13, for reverse action, toprevent valve closure. Similarly, the extension 36 is sized so thatcontact between the extension 36 and the bonnet 13, for direct action,or plate 15, for reverse action, produces the correct stroking distance.

The chambers within the housing 17 which communicate with the inlet andoutlet ports 11, 12 are of similar dimensions so as to permit the bonnetI3 and plate to be secured over either of the opposite openings 20, 21.Thus, the valve 10 can be constructed for either direct action orreverseaction by a simple interchanging of the bonnet 13 and plate 15.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to permit a quick removal of theseat ring 22, the bolts 16 securing the bonnet 13 to the flange aroundthe opening 20 of the valve housing 17 are loosened and removed. Thebonnet 13 is then removed along with the valve stem and inner valvesecured thereto. Next, the seal 30 and the cage 25 are lifted fromwithin the housing 17 and thereafter the spring 29 is removed with theseat ring 22. The seat ring 22 can then either be placed back into thevalve or can be replaced by a fresh seat ring. The spring 29 is thenplaced back into the housing aboutthe seat ring 22. The cage 25 is alsoreinserted along with the seal 30 at the upper end and the bonnet 13 isplaced over the opening 20 with the inner valve 33 and the valve stem 41in place and bolted to the housing 17.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the event that it is desired to use the valve asa reverse acting valve, the bottom plate 15 and bonnet 13 are removedfrom the housing 17. The housing 17 is then rotated l about the axis ofthe ports 11, 12. with the inner valve 33, stem 41, seat ring 22, spring29 and cage 25 positioned therein. The stem 41 is then threaded into thelonger extension 38. The bonnet 13 is then installed over the stem 41and attached to the housing 17, and the plate 15 is attached to thehousing 17 at the opening 20.

In order to use the valve 10 for a balanced or unbalanced pressurecondition, the cage 25 is provided with apertures 44 near the endopposite the end seated on the seat ring 22 and suitable plugs 45, suchas threaded metal plugs are provided for selectively sealing thepassages 40 in the inner valve 33 of apertures 44 in the cage 25. Thepassages 40 and apertures 44 are sized with similar cross-sectionaldimensions so that the same plug 45 can be fitted into both. In order toprovide for an unbalanced condition, for example, in the direct actingvalve shownin FIG. 3, the plugs 45 are inserted in the passages 40 ofthe inner valve 33 while the openings 44 remain unblocked. Thus, thepressure on the inlet side of the inner valve 33 is allowed to bedifferent from the pressure on the outlet side so that an unbalancedpressure condition is created. On the other hand, in order to create abalanced pressure condition, the plugs 45 would only be inserted in theapertures 44 of the cage '25 while the passages 40 of-the inner valve 33remain open to connect opposite sides of the valve body with each other.In this respect, the pressure would be equal on opposite sides of theinner valve 33'. Referring to FIG. 4, in order to create an unbalancedcondition on the inner valve 33 of the reverse acting valve the passages40 in the inner valve 33 would be plugged up by the plugs 45 while theapertures 44 of the cage 25 would be open. Similarly, in order to createan unbalanced condition, the passages 40 in the inner valve 33 areclosed while the apertures 44 in the cage 25 are open. Further, the seal35 would be installed in the circumferential recess 34.

The invention thus provides a cage trim valve which can be utilized as areverse acting or a direct acting valve. The reversible inner vale, andthe valve seat ring are further sized so as to be utilized in eithercondition of the valve. Furthermore, the valve is provided with ahousing having a removable cover plate and a bonnet at opposite sides soas to permit insertion of the valve body and seat ring from either thetop or the bottom opening in a relatively easy and quick manner.

The invention also provides a valve which is simple to assembly anddisassemble in the field thereby reducing maintenance time and cost.

We Claim:

1. A reversible cage trim valve comprising:

a housing having a ring seat therein and a pair of openings thereindisposed on opposite sides of said ring seat;

a seat ring sealingly mounted on said ring seat;

a cage mounted between one of said openings and said seat ring;

an inner valve slidably mounted in said cage for seating engagement withsaid seat ring and having a first extension in one end and a secondextension on the opposite end of longer length than said firstextension; and

said housing'for sliding saidinner valve-within said. cage relative tosaid seat ring.

21 A reversiblecageftrim valve as set forth in claim 1 6. Areversibleflcage trim valve as set forth in claim 4 V wherein said cageis sealingly mounted between said plate and wherein said means 'issecured-to said firstiextension of said inner valve, and said means andsaid first on the same side ot said seat ring. 3. A reversible -'c'agetrim valve as set forth in claim 1 extensionare located wherein saidmeans is secured to said second eXtension-of'said inner valve, andsaidmeans and said second extension are l'ocatedon opposite sides ofsaid seat ring. f

4.:A reversible cage trim valve as set forth in claim lwhich furthercomprisesa plateremov ably mounted on saidhousingy over one of saidopenings and said means includesa bonnet said seat'ringi 7. -A 'reversible cage trim valve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seat ringhas a flange seated on said ring seat and a cylindrical secti'o'nhavinga sealing surface at one end thereof,- said sealing surface projectinginwardly of saidvcage for sealingly engaging said inner valve.

'8. A reversible cage trim valve asset forth in claim 7 whereinsaid-valve body has at least one passage connecting opposite sidesofsaid valve body, said cage has at least one i aperture passingtherethrough near the end opposite the end removably secured on'saidhousing over the other of said; i

openings. i

5. 'A reversible cage trim valveas set forth in. claim4 I v said cage,seatrmg, bonnet and plate.

wherein said cage isse a l ingly mountedbetween said bonnet andsaid seatring. a I i adjacent said seat ring, and at least one'plug isselectively mounted in either of said passage or aperture whereby thevalve is adapted for an unbalanced or balanced pressure conditiofl.

' 9. A' reversible cage trim valve as set forth in claim 5 wherein aspring member'maintains sealing contact between UNITED sTATEs PATENT ANDTRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT N0. 3 54 05 DATED 5November 24, 1970 INVENTOFHS) G orge I. Chinn It is certified that errorappears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent ishereby corrected asshown below:

On the title page, assignee's name should read Kieley & Mueller Inc.Middletown, N. Y.

Signed and Scaled this Twenty-third D f November I9 |SEAL| Allen.-

GERALD J MOSSINGHOFF Arresting Officer Commissioner of Parents andTrademarks

